Beehive.



G. P. WOOD.

BEEHIVE. APPLICATION man APR 11. 1914.

hmfimwg Patented July 13, 1915 2' SHEETS-SHEET l.

WITNESSES. INVENTOR G. P. WOOD.

BEEHIVE. APPLICATION FILED APR. 11. I;

Patented July 13, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

IN VE/V TOR GEORGE 3?. W00]), 05 PEEKSKILL, NEW YORK.

BEEHIVE.

' intense.

Application filed April 11, 1914.

To all whom it may concern.

Be itknown that I, Gnoncn P. lVoon, a citizen of the United States,residing at No. 217 Walnut street, in the village of Peekskill, countyof 'Westchester, and State of New York, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Beehives, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to certain improvements in the construction ofmovable-frame sectional beehives of the general type shown and describedin my Patent, No. 1, 58,196, granted July 22, 1913, and containsprovisions especially adapting it for use in cold climates.

. It has for its principal object the manu factnre and use ofrectangular movablefraine hive sections, which have two opposite doublewalls, each containing an air space between the component parts thereof,and'two opposite sides at right angles to the double walls, eachconsisting of an inner fixed part containing an opening or openings forthe passage of bees through same, and an outer detachable part forpreventing said passage, united to form a rectangular compartment withvertical walls for containing movableframes. The hivesec-tion is adaptedfor combination with one or more similar hive-secti0ns, upon removal ofthe detachable parts and placing the corresponding fixed partscontaining the openings in juxtaposition in such manner as to providecommunicating passageways for the bees between the hive-sections, toform a compartment of one story, and is also adapted for combinationwith one or more similar hive-sections or combinations of similarhive-sections in more than one story by placing one over another,thereby providing for such alteration of size and shape of beehive asmay be advisable for the best management of bees, the detachable partsbeing placed in position when required to form an outer wall of thebeehive.

My invention includes improvements in construction of parts of the.beehive which are also applicable to beehivescomprising hive-sectionslike those shown and described in the above mentioned patent; the functions of the hive-sections being substan- Specification of LettersPatent.

Patented July 13, 12915.

Serial No. 831,210.

tially the same in both inventions except in the matter of protectionafforded in the present invention. by the double walls on two sides.

The invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which-Figure 1 is an isometric drawing of a beehive comprising a bottom board;four hive-sections, two of which have one or more detachable partsremoved and onehive-section shown moved'to the left with both detachableparts removed, one of which detachable parts is shown moved farther tothe le t; an inside cover on one of the hive sections with half of acover over same; an entrance block with fastener; and some of theinternal parts of a beehive including a division board with fastener, amovableframe with a detachable-reversible-spacinghanger, an appliancefor fastening the inside cover and ventilating the top of beehive, anddetachable bottom plates for closing the air spaces in the double walls.Fig. 2 is a vertical section at 2-2, Fig. 1, showing in detail theconnection of the bot tom board with the double wall at rear of beehive.Fig. '3 is an isometric drawing showing the inside surface at one end ofa detachable part, as at 3-3, Fig. 1. Fig. 4c is an enlarged isometricdrawing at 4-4, Fig. 1', showing details of construction at one cornerof a hive section, with the detachable part removed. Fig. 5 is anisometric drawing of the ends of .two movable-frames showing in detailtwo detachable-reversiblespacing-hangers. Fig. 6 is an elevation andsection at 66, Fig. 1, showing details, and method of operatin adivision board fastoner. Fig. 7 is an isometric drawing at 7'Z, Fig. 1,showing a section at entrance block and details of an entrance block andfastener. I I

In these dra-win s various principal parts are uniformly designated bycapital or upper case letters, generally, like those designating partshaving similar functions in my Patent No. 1,068,196, as follows: A-outer part of double wall of hive-section. B-bottom board. C--clamp forcombining parts of beehives or hive-sections. D division board.E-entrance bl0ck.- F

60 Ix respective movablebrood-frame. G or G"detachable floor plate.Hhoney-section case. K- inner 'part of double wall of hive-section.M-detachable part of hive-section. O fixed part oti hive-section inwhich open space for the passage of bees through same is provided.Q-qneen excluder. S-sec- .tion for comb honey. Tcover. U-inside cover.Details of-these parts are uniformly l designated by the correspondinglower case letters, with accent figures when necessary.

The rectangular movable-frame hive-section which is the basis of thisbeehive comprises two' opposite double walls each consisting of an outerpart A, and an inner part D K, with an air space between same, which areheld vertical and in proper position by attachment at ends to the partsplaced at right angles to the double walls and forming therewith arectangular compartment, two

opposite double sides of which are complete and two opposite sidescontain open space for the passage of bees through same. Thiscompartment may be combined with a like one in a single story by placingthe corresponding fixed parts 0 in juxtaposition as shown in Fig. 1. Ifit is desired to make the side 0, containing openings, a completeoutside wall a detachable part M is secured 39 position outside ot' thefixed part 0 as ndicated. It is evident that openings are required inonly one side of the hive-section for the passage of bees unless morethan two hivesections are combined in a single story,

3a which is generally undesirable. For convenience in manipulating it ishowever advisable to make the opposite sides alike. One, two or morehive-sections may be used in a single story and there may be any num- 0her of stories; the bottom boards and tops being of the proper lengthfor the number oi hive-sections desired in a single story. it is myintentionuto i'nanu'l acturc the hivesections from any suitablematerials and to adopt any details of construction which I find to beconducive to proper strength, durability, simplicity and economy; but inorder to fully explain my invention I will proceed to describe theconstruction which now appears best for the hive-section and other partsoi the beehive, the main features of the in vention are however notlimited to these details.

The fixed part 0, consists of: two horizon- Eifi tal metal bars 0 and0", on one side of ee vertical bars 0 and 0 are secured in place bymeans of nails, staples or similar devices, and the grooves over samefilled flush with putty or other material suitable for the purpose. Thisconstruction with less vertical bars is applicable and has been used forhive-sections having single side walls such as described in my PatentNo. 1,068,196, and is particularly well adapted to secure accuratedimensions, to prevent warping, and for shipment in the fiat. Theinterior hori zontal dimensions of the hive-section are equal and thetop 0 of bar 0, is at the same elevation as the shelf both of which areadapted to support movable-frames, honeysection cases and divisionboards. The bar 0 is placed a little above the base lc" and rabbetedbase 0?, which are adapted to be supported by, and to slide upon, thetop edges (1,, It or m of another similar hivescction or the top edges bof bottom board cleats, thereby providing a bee-space between said barand the tops of honey-section cases, queen excluder, projecting parts offrames or division boards. The overhanging projections a and m andcorresponding rabbeted shelies a, m and I), about a beespace under same,designed to make the beehive weatherproof, and hand holes of, oi usualdesign, are essentially the same as in the hive-section described in myPatent No. 1,068,196. Upon removal of the detachable parts M, thehive-sections are adapted to slide into position in the same manner asdescribed in that patent and clcarlv shown in Fig. 1, without crushingbees. The use of double walls, removes in great measure the objectionwhich many beekeepers make to painting the outside walls of beehive. Italso ali'ords a means oi confining the bees. when desirable, without theirritating cll'cct which results from their confinement in a singlesmall com nlrtment. Tn Fig. 3 the position of the horizontal bars 0 ando" of the fixed part (i, and of the ends a" and N" of parts A and K ofthe double wall are shown by dotted lines. The cleat or corner piece /22prevents the. detachable part M from warping, and provides a return asshown. of the overhan ing projection m and rabbctcd shelf m. lhc. bars0" and o are each about half a bee-space in thickness and the'n'ojecting pieccs n1 at each of M. are oi such thickness that amovablo-l'rame may be placed in dircct contact with the bars and be'u-operly spaced with respect to the main portion 'm, of part M. "hcntwo hivc-scctions are placed in juxtaposition in one story themovablc-l'ramcs in each can be placed in direct contact with these barsand correct spacing of frames will be scoured. \Vhen. hom'y-scctioncases are similarly placed a thin separator with openings is insertedbetween the fixed parts 0. The, staples or equivalent projections /11spaced properly to come in contact with the bars iopato and with whichthey cot'vperate, are for the purpose of keeping the part ill in itscorrect position with the aid of a clamp C. Y v

, The small bars 0 and a are unsuitable for use with wedgespr springsacting at right angles thereto, such as are usually provided for forcingthe frames or honey-section cases to one end of the compartment. The

combineddivision board and fastener D shown in Figs. 1 and 6, istherefore provided. This consists of a division board 0?.

of usual construction and not claimed as new, to which is attached byrivets or equivalent d, the spring (5*, having sharp ends (i said rivetsextending through the slots al near the ends of the spring; the two endsof division board and spring being alike. The

spring d is slightlylonger than the distance between the inside :tacesIt of parts K, and consequently the sharp ends d project i into saidparts when the spring is horizontal, as showri'bylinie ate? therebysecuring thev division board in position. To loosen the division boardthe middle of spring is raised, thereby withdrawing the sharp ends. Toinsert thedivision board the spring is raised at middle and the divisionboard pressed into its desired position and the spring released. This ismuch more convenlent than are the ordinary appliances for the reasonthat the device for fastening is properly against the sides of beehive.

attached to the division board-and is there fore always at hand whenneeded. The division board can be instantly locked or unlocked by thisdevice at any point in the hive-section and it may be held firmly inposition without exerting pressure against the frames if so desired, allqualities not possessed by the usual devices. My invention isnot limitedto a perfectly straight spring, to the means oi attaching same to thedivision board or to the sharp ends shown, but I contemplate the use ofusual shapes and connections and of ends adapted to react The bottomboard B, Figs. 1, 2 and 7, is substantially the same as described in myPatent No. 1,068,196, except that it is of greater width and has anadditional cleat D which may or may not be continuous, for

the support of each of the parts K. The bottom board may be of properlength for one or more hive-sections as required. The entrance block E,Figs. 1 and 7, is also sub stantially the same as described in the abovementioned patent except that the outer edge contains the groove 6, forattaching the fastening, which is new. This fastening con sists of abent wire a, which passes through the block and has portions e and eextending upward on the outside and inside re spectively, of theoverhanging projections a or m of the hive-section. The end a of thiswire is so bent as to project into the The inside cover U, Fig. l, forconfining the bees, is substantially the same as described in my PatentNo. 1,068,196, and is supported by the top edges and m only ofhive-section. The cover T, of proper length for the number ofhive-sections used, is of ordinary telescoping construction except thatit has the eccentrically pivoted buttons 15, and blocks 2& which areattached to the cover and adapted to rest upon and hold the inside coverU in position. The screws or equivalent 25 which hold these buttons inposition are shown nearer the bottom than the top edge of button.Consequently when the buttons are reversed the bottom edges t of cover Tare raised above the rabbeted shelves at and m, thereby permitting thecirculation of air between the inside and outside covers withoutreleasing or exposing the bees.

For closing the space between the parts A and K' of double wall, ifdesired, the detachable floor plate G is provided. This consists of aslat having proper width and the same length at top as parts A and K andhaving its ends rabbeted so as to permit it to rest on the bars 0 or 0and to extend below same suliiciently to be secured in position thereby,longitudinally. The upper part is of suiiicient thickness to bring itabout flush with the top edges a and 7c of hive-section, when resting onbar 0 A slightly different form of detachable floor plate G which doesnot necessarily extend above the bars 0 and 0 except at ends may be madeof sheet metal if desired with the ends properly bent to rest on top ofbars a or 0*. and be properly secured.

The frames F, Figs. 1 and 5, consisting of top bars 7, bottom bars f,and end bars 7, are substantially the same as described in my Patent No.1,068,196, and are of usual construction except in the matter of meansof'supporting same, which comprises the rivets, staples or equivalentsupports f f in the end bars of frames, and the detachable reversiblespacinghangers f, f. ,The supports i are preferably placed in thevertical axes of frames and equal distances from the horizontal axes.The weight of the frame is transmitted through the upper support f tothe hanger by means of the abrupt bend in same 7, immediately under thesupport 7, and thence through the upper parts of'hanger fand f to therabbeted supporting shelf 70 or the top of bar 0. The hanger between thesupports 7 is formed to provide at sides of frame end-bar horizontalparts f parallel to frame topbar and vertical parts f opposite thereto.

of wire bent to provide the said horizontal and vertical parts as shown.The bottom support serves to help hold the entire hanger i in its properposition relative to the frame;

the hanger bemg sprung slightly in the act of attaching it by means ofthe bend f and bottom support 1. The action of each support in thematter of spacing is very direct. The hanger is so shaped that thevertical parts f engage the horizontal parts f of adjacent hangers atsingle points, thereby reducing the opportunity for the bees to fastenthem with propolis to a minimum. The form of hanger shown on the leftframe differs from that on the right in being adapted for use with theloop supports f through which the loops 7 and f of-hanger pass, inthe'upper horizontal projection f which is practically independent ofthe lower projections, in the part which connects the upper and lowerpairs of projections which is a vertical connecting the verticalprojections instead of a diagonal between the upper horizontal and lowervertical projections. and in the parts f" and 7' the first of whichisinclined upward and away from the end of frame so that f is not incontact with the end oi frame except that if the hanger is made of afair quality of spring steel the construction permits oi the part fbeing forced toward the end of 'lrame,,thereby i ermitting a frame to belifted vertically from a lower hive-section without disturbing thehive-section over same. The hanger can bevery readily attached anddetached without the use of tools when the frame is held in the handsand also. the form shown on right by means o'l' a simple clamping devicewhen it is in thc hive-section. It is thercloro well adapted forreversing the frames and for permitting the removal of frames l'rom alower hivwsection or their insertion. It is of special value forextracting. as the accurate spacing of trames will tend toward theproduction ol very uniform com s in the lramcs. which after removal olhangers are without any parts projecting beyond the faces oi combs. andtherefore in the best possible condition l'or uncapping. it is myintention to have the tops of frames llush with the supporting shelveslr. tor the reasons given in my latcnt No. Loosluo. but. this hanger isadapted for supporting them at. any height desired.

'lhc. hive-studious and ac essories are well adapted to Form i'cnclucnl;bcchircs ol any length. l'or wintering or other purposes.

licl'rrring to thc beehive shown in Fig. l. as a whole. it will beobsci'vcd that while it is very desirable as a sectional beehive com--prising hive-sections adapted for rearrange ment to suit changes inrequirements, it is also desirable as a complete double walled beehivefor use at all seasons of the year and for all purposes. Thebrood-frames may be placed in the lower story during the summer, and inthe middle of two stories in winter. Under these conditions the doublewalls can be packed with chaff or other material without difiiculty bythe aid of the detachable floor plates and inside cover, and the ends ofbeehive warmly packed in winter; Or the bees may be allowed access tothe space between the parts of double wall in summer as a means of swarmcontrol; there being sufiicient space for the insertion of an additionalbrood-frame or honey-section case, for which these spaces are adapted.The bees may be given access to these spaces from the bottom board bythe omission of portions of cleat 7/, Fig. l, and Fig. 2, and detachablefloor plates G, Fig. 1, or holes for thepurpose may be made through theparts K. At the same time the beehive is suited to ,the needs of a swarmof any size and is readily divided.

Having described my invention what I claim is: v

1. A hive-section comprising two opposite double walls each containingan air space between the component parts thereof, said walls beingunited at their ends to fixed parts. at right angles thereto, to form arectangular compartment with vertical walls for containingmovable-frames said fixed parts having an opening or openings wherebythe hive-section is adapted forebombination with one or more similarhives'ections in one story by having the corresponding fixed partscontaining openings placed in juxtaposition in such manner as to providecommunicating passageways for the bees from one hire-section to anotherthrough same. and also adapted for combination with onc or more similarhive-sections or combinations of similar hive-sections --in more thanone story by placing one over another. and detachable sides for thehive-secti n adapted for connection to form closed walls outside ol thefixed parts containing openings.

l. A beehive consisting of a bottom board. a cover and one or morehive-sections each comprising two opposite double walls containing anair space between the component parts thereof. unitcd at their ends tolixed parts. at right angles thereto. to l'orm :1 rectangularcompartment with vcrlical walls for containing movablel'ramcs said fixedparts having an opening or openings whereby the hive-section is adaptedfor combination with one or more similar hive-sections in one story byhaving the corresponding meanesfi'om one hive-section to another throughsame, and also adapted for combination other, and detachable sides forthe hive sections adapted for connection to form closed walls outside ofthe fiired parts containing openings, all substantially as set forth,

3.- In a hive-section the combination with. two opposite walls of fixedparts containing an opening or openings and adapted. to be secured atright angles to said walls, each comprising two horizontal bars on oneside of which suitably spaced vertical bars are rigidly attached, saidwalls being provided with horizontal and vertical grooves in their endsfitted to receive the horizontal and vertical' bars respectively, andmeans for securing same in position, all substantially asset forth. h v

4. lhe combination with two frames each composed of rigidly attachedhorizontal and vertical bars, of opposite walls containing horizontaland vertical grooves in the ends thereof corresponding to thehorizontal. and vertical bars, and means of attachment, to form arectangular compartment with vertical sides or walls;

5. In. a hive-section the combination with two opposite double wallseach containing an air space between the component parts thereof amember comprising rigidly connected horizontal and vertical barsinserted and secured in-horizontal and vertical grooves at each end ofthe double walls to unite the same to form a rectangular compartmentwith vertical double walls for containing movable frames, the saidhorizontal bars extending between the parts of the double walls to unitesame, of detachable floor plates of proper length and width to close thespace between the component parts of the double walls, adapted to restupon the same horizontal bars and containing downwardly projectingportions adapted to prevent motion longitudinally, all substantially asset forth.

6. In a hive-section the combination with two opposite walls united attheir ends to fixed parts at right angles thereto, to form a rectangularcompartment with vertical walls for containing movable frames, of adivision board with a spring having sharp ends, and of slightly greaterlength than the distance between the said walls and hav ing slotstherein near its ends, and fastening means passing through said slots tose cure the spring to the division board, said spring being adapted tosecure the division board in any desired position in the hive section,by allowing the spring to lie straight with the sharp ends projectinginto the walls, and adapted to release the division board by raisingthemiddle part of spring,

thereby shortening the horizontal distance between the sharp ends ofsame, all substantially as set forth.

7. In a beehive the combination with the opposite walls of a rectangularcompartment for containing-movable frames ofsa division board with aspring of slightly greater length than the distance between saidopposite walls having ends adapted for reaction against same andfastening means allowing slight longitudinal motion near the ends ofspring to secure same to the division board, said spring being adaptedto secure the division board in any desired position in the compartmentby allowing the spring to straighten sothe ends of same react againstthe walls, and adapted to release the division board by raising themiddle part of'spring, thereby shortening the distance between the endsof same.

8. The combination of a hive-section comprising two opposite Walls fixedparts containing an opening or openings united to the ends of said wallsto form a rectangular compartment with vertical walls for containingmovable frames, said walls being formed at their top edges with rabbetedshelves, of movable brood-frames consisting of a top-bar, a bottom barand end bars, a pair of, spaced supports on each of the end bars, andreversible spacing-hangers eachadapted to be readily attached to anddewhile it is steadied by the lower one, said hangers having verticalprojections to engage horizontal projections on the adjacent hangers andcorresponding horizontal projections to engage vertical projections onthe adjacent hangers, thereby fixing the distance between frames, and ahorizontal projection at top adapted to rest upon the rabboard, a coverand one or more hive-sections, each comprising two opposite wallsunitedat their ends to fined parts, contain ing an opening or openings, toform a nectangular compartment with vertical walls for containingmovable frames, said walls being formed at their upper ed with outv,tached from a pair of said supports the upper one of which supports theframe' side rabbeted shelves, of an insi e cover cone :1.

listing of it in board givitha' rim adapted of the hive-'secto rest uponthe top edg tion, said cover having blocks attached rat thereto andbuttons eccentrically pivoted to the blocks and adapted to support theinside cover, whereby the edges of the cover may be made to restdirectly upon the outside rabbeted shelves near top of hive-section orbe raised above same so as to permit ventilation over the top of insidecover, all substantially as set forth.

' 11. In a beehive, the combination of a bottom board cleated at endsand back, a hivesection, each side of which has a rabbeted base formingan overhanging projection at the outer'side, said section adapted to beso supported by the cleats on the bottom board as to leave an entrancespace between the front edge of bottom board and said overhangingprojection, a sliding ontrance block of rectangular cross section,

with front edge grooved and of proper size to close the space betweenthe overhanging projection and front edge of bottom board, and a bentwire passing through the block and having projections adapted to engagethe sides of the overhanging projection at bottom of hive-section andthereby prevent lateral movement of the entrance block, with aprojection adapted for insertion in the groove to secure it in position,and adapted for movement to disengage the first structed with outer.rabbeted base edges a? mentioned projections thereby releasing theentrance block, all substantially as set forth.

12. A beehive comprising double-walled hive-sections each havingoverhanging projections a and m extending below the base edges is of thebase edges a and m of the outer walls, and having rabbeted shelves (1and m outside of and below the uppermost edges a 70 and m upon whichlatter'a superimposed hivesectionis adapted to rest, and the twoopposite sides of each hive-section. being condetachable portions Mwhich include the said edges m whereby the removal of said detachableportions adapts one hive-section to slide upon another, horizontallyinto position, the only contact being between the base edges is and andtop edges a and 717 and whereby the replacing of tle detachable sides Msecures Weatherproof joints on all sides with a bee-space between theoverhanging projections a m and rah beted shelves a m under same, allsubstantially asset fort-h.

' GEORGE P.- WOOD. Witnesses:

. LESLIE G. HOLLERAN,

WARREN F. Ruse.

inner walls, and rabbeted

